Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-12-10

squaws and children, who fed in haste, and
the posse burned the tepees or tents and q
large amount of buckskins. The Indians
then had an interview with certain prominent
gentlemen Of Neeker, who went to Coal
Greek to meet Colorow and his band, who
were much alarmed by the attacks made on
them and wished to know the cause. Colorow
did not consent to give up the Indians COM
planned of, but promised TO leave the coun-
try, requiring fifteen days to collect his herds
of horses and sheep and drive them to his
reservation. 100 miles dstsn.. In the mean
time the sheriff increased LIS posse to fifty
men, and was also joined BY force of Col
orado militia. under command of Brigadier-
General Reardon- who had orders to assist
the sheriff in the execution of his civil pro-
cess. On the Path of August an interview
was held with Colorow's son, at which it was
agre ed By the whites that matters would re-
main they were until the Big White Chief
arrived, by which the Indians understood
| that they would be allowed TO go unmolested
to their reservation. They started on their
way and while in camp. the 25th of Au-
gust. on White River. at point as they be-
Iieved, on the Uncompahgre Indian
whites, Asho opened fire, completely sur
both sides continued three hours and a
half. Late in the afternoon the Indians fell
back, and the whites returned to Rangley
| In this affair lieutenant of the militia and
a deputy sheriff were killed; several others
were wounded. After the fight a white mar
was killed in attempting to run off some
| Indian ponies. The Indians lost one small
boy, who was killed, and one buck and one
sguaw were wounded The whites numbered
$50 men, 100 being militia. The Indian
numbered not more than twenty five fightin,
men in the affair. The whites justified the
attack on the ground that the Indians brok.
faith in removing their camp.
At the beginning of the hostlities tn
Indians had between 300 and 400 head o
horses and about 2. 800 head of sheep an,
goats They lost all their sheep and goats
and but 20 horses had been returned I
them on September Is.
CLERICAL FoRCE.
In closing this report, desire to refer t
the faithful and efficient services rendere
by the clerical force. Among 800 employe
there is undoubtedly percentage of ncon
petent or useless clerks, but this element
rapidly disappearing and what remains doe
not materially affect the efficiency of tn
Department. 4 statement of the total al
sence Of each clerk since January /, 1884,
shews the average absence from a
I causes, namely, with leave, on accour
- of sickness, without paw wlthol
permission, and in consequence
short absences with permission. TO be 80
days for 1856, and but 90 days for the fir
r six months Of this year. Many clerks did n
: avail themselves of the full 30 days leav
It The result of the examinations for promoti,
under the civil service regulations, whit
ii were applied TO the War Department in Ma
were satisfactory The total number
&c clerks examined was | ,0l4, of whom 1858,
y % per cent, passed, and of this number 80
Z or IS per cent obtained an average of abo
"a 80 per cent; 81, or per cent, failed to pas
their average being less than - per cent.
| therefore renew the recommendation
contained in my previous reports and
those of my predecessor for the appointing
, of an Assistant Secretary of War and of
Assistant Attorney General to advise al
assist in the legal and technical questio
M which daily occur. | must also refer
former recommendations for the reorgani2
~ ton of the force of this office, the estimat
- for which, it is hoped, will receive the fave
50 able consideration of Congress
WILLIAM c. ENDICOTT,
I" Secretary of War.